The new Scotland boss admits he was too quick to make sweeping changes to the squad he inherited when he replaced Gareth Southgate in October 2009.

Boro were fourth in the table with 24 points from 14 games - just three behind leaders Newcastle - when Strachan was appointed.

That average of almost two points per game had dropped dramatically by the end of the 2009/10 season with the club slipping to 11th after taking 38 points from the remaining 32 fixtures.

Worse was to follow in the following campaign with Boro plunging to fifth bottom after winning just three of their opening 11 fixtures before Strachan resigned.

Chairman Steve Gibson backed the Scot to the hilt, allowing him to make several big-money signings on large salaries, the ramifications of which are still being felt.

It’s certainly no secret that Strachan didn’t rate most of the players he inherited at Boro, hence the fact that he made 11 signings within weeks of his appointment.

Many of those new arrivals came in on loan, but he also brought in Barry Robson, Willo Flood, Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald in the January 2010 window and the following summer added Kevin Thomson, Kris Boyd and Tarmo Kink.

Strachan’s appointment as Scotland boss was confirmed at an official press conference yesterday.

His contract takes him up to the end of the qualifiers for Euro 2016.

When he was asked if the group of players previous manager Craig Levein had used would require a significant overhaul to boost Scotland’s performances, Strachan referred to his time at Boro.

“I made that mistake when I went to Middlesbrough,” he said. “I really should have used the players that were there and used a system for them.

“So I’m going to get a system that suits these players and over the years we’ll find a style that works.”

The chief executive of the Scottish FA, Stewart Regan, is well aware of Strachan’s record at Boro but insists the manner of his departure spoke volumes about his character.

He said: “Gordon has managed under pressure in lots of different situations - good times and bad.

“He was honest about his time at Middlesbrough and felt he made too many changes too quickly.

“He walked away without a penny of compensation because he didn’t get it right there. That shows a man of principle.”

Meanwhile, reports in East Anglia have linked Boro with Norwich midfielder Jacob Butterfield.

Tony Mowbray was keen on signing the 22-year-old from Barnsley last summer but lost out to the Canaries.

Butterfield is back at Carrow Road following a loan spell at Bolton but Mowbray told the Gazette he has had no conversations with anyone about the player.